The first women-only self defence school has been set up in Dundee and its teacher hopes to reach out and break down barriers to exercise.
Abertay student and self defence instructor for the Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, Valerie Duguid (42) said she hopes to engage with people who would not take part in a mixed class.
She said for religious or cultural reasons some women from ethnic minorities could not take part if men are either in the class or teaching it.
She said: “This causes many barriers, one being inactivity which is an issue in minority groups.
“If women aren’t going to attend with men there has to be something specifically for them. When women see a female instructor can look after herself they can see themselves doing it.”
Miss Duguid is a third year sport science and psychology student, as well as a personal trainer so she incorporates exercise and women’s health into her teaching as well.
She said: “I had the idea a year ago to have a school to teach women defence skills but blend it with women’s health issues.
“There is a risk of heart disease and other health issues facing women due to inactivity so this class will focus on health and fitness primarily whilst learning a skill of self defence.
“I think many women don’t know how to exercise properly but people feel too silly to ask.”
It has been a year in the planning but the new school i Defend has been running for the past month out of the Dundee Community Centre in Guthrie Street.
Miss Duguid has been teaching self defence for 18 years but this is the first time she has established her own school.
She said: “At the moment I have about 10 to 12 women coming along every week but I can accommodate about 30.”
Girls over 10 can also attend as Miss Duguid said teenagers are prone to stop exercising and are more likely to take part in exercise as adults if they did as children.
She said this means it is important to have a positive influence on girls before they reach their teenage years. Each class which runs from 6pm to 7pm in the Dundee Community Centre costs £5.50 for adults and £4 for under 18s or students.